The BlackBird Overdrive, a pedal that succeeds in generating blackface/brownface-style drive and works as a flexible tone-sculpting platform.
There are lots of amp-in-a-box-style pedals and while some are great, many are less dynamic-nailing one particular type of tone well, but failing flat when you deviate from that path. In this regard, the BlackBird is very different. It nails in an unbelievable way black & brownface tones, from almost clean & light to quite gainy overdrive with natural compression. Specially designed and thoughtfully voiced for those who seek a responsive to pick dynamics with tone clarity overdrive in a pedalboard friendly size.
Placing the BlackBird further down your effects chain reveals its ability to function like a true preamp, giving other overdrives and dirt boxes a glassy blackface or a spongy brownface touch.
• All-analogue electronics audio signal path.
• Authentic vintage amp tones voiced after the Brownface/Blackface amps.
• Powerful tone-shaping Post-Drive EQ.
• High input impedance.
• Centre-negative, 9V or 18V for maximum headroom.
• Silent switching.
• Designed and built in Greece.
Dave Sharp.
I received the Blackbird today, just three days after ordering it from Greece. I’m in the UK and had never heard of this brand before. Reviews of the Blackbird were favourable and the price very good. Based on this I decided to buy.
Trust me, after only one day I don’t think the reviews do justice to this excellent pedal. I played it directly into a Hand wired Fender Princeton Reverb Custom. This is a magnificent amp which without any pedals, just a touch of the built in reverb, it sounds amazing. Upon plugging in the Blackbird, the amp really comes to life and fills the air with rich harmonics. Turn off the Blackbird and the amp sounds quite lifeless and rather ‘bland’. I was amazed by this!
I own many brands of overdrive pedals and Klon Klones, but NONE have had this effect on my glorious Princeton.
It does exactly what it is advertised to do. Blackface, Brownface, Tweed, Custom Reverb and any other Fender you care to mention…this thing does them all brilliantly.
As an ‘always on’ clean boost, my amp is pushed to the edge of break-up and the touch sensitivity and response are sublime. Retains that ‘organic’ Fender chime wonderfully. Up the gain into Brownface territory and she starts fo growl. Things become ‘spongy’ when the pedal is cranked and the natural compression shines through. Everything in between is catered for too.
A great quality pedal that is finished to a very high standard, Graphics are very pleasing.
One tiny gripe is the slight ‘pop’ when flicking the gain toggle switch, but this will never be flicked mid song…so not really a problem at all.
Still early days but I cannot see this pedal EVER leaving my board.